Warm Apple Cider, Pumpkin Lattes, and More Lightened Up

Nothing is more satisfying on a crisp fall day like a warm beverage that celebrates the flavors of the season. However, sometimes these drinks can have more calories than a slice of cake! The good news: Make a few simple...

Nothing is more satisfying on a crisp fall day like a warm beverage that celebrates the flavors of the season. However, sometimes these drinks can have more calories than a slice of cake! The good news: Make a few simple tweaks, and cozy favorites can still taste indulgent without all the extra stuff. Check out three refreshed recipes for three fall faves: the pumpkin latte, hot chocolate and apple cider.

1. PUMPKIN LATTE: A traditional 16 oz pumpkin latte with whipped cream will set you back approximately 380 calories, but my fabulous intern, Alexis Joseph, shared her lightened-up pumpkin latte recipe–it’s made with real pumpkin puree and only has 111 calories per 16 oz serving.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup skim milk

1 tbsp pumpkin puree

1 tsp pure maple syrup

1/8 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp vanilla extract

dash of nutmeg

dash of salt

INSTRUCTIONS: Pour milk into a microwavable mug and heat for about 90 seconds. Add in the rest of the ingredients and stir very well to combine. Stir milk mixture into 1 cup of hot coffee.

2. HOT CHOCOLATE:
Even though I love the rich taste of a classic cup of this stuff, I don’t love the 230 calories one 8 oz cup of the traditional recipe with whip cream contains. However, this delicious recipe for Almond Hot Cocoa from dietitian Joy Bauer has all the chocolaty goodness I crave, and comes in at only 146 calories (and that’s with the whipped topping, too!).

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup almond milk, unsweetened, vanilla

2 tsp sugar, granulated

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 pinch salt, Kosher

1 1/2 tbsp chocolate chips, dark, or semisweet

1 tbsp whipped topping, (optional, for topping)

chocolate shavings, semisweet, (optional, for topping)

INSTRUCTIONS: Heat the almond milk in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until the milk is hot and starting to steam, about 5 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Whisk in the sugar, vanilla, salt and chocolate chips, and continue to whisk until the chocolate is completely melted. Pour the hot cocoa into a mug and top with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings if desired. Enjoy!

3. HOT APPLE CIDER: The crisp apple flavors in cider celebrate fall’s harvest, but the 280 calories in a 16 oz cup calls for anything but a celebration. However, when you combine cider with tea, it adds a whole new dimension of flavor and brings the calorie count down to just 180 per 16 oz serving.

INGREDIENTS:

1 orange-spiced tea bag

1 cup hot water

2 whole allspice

2 whole cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1 1/2 cups apple cider

INSTRUCTIONS: Brew tea in hot water according to package directions with the allspice, cloves and cinnamon stick in the cup as it brews. Heat apple cider for 60-90 seconds in the microwave until warm in a large microwave-safe mug. Meanwhile, discard tea bag, allspice, cloves and cinnamon stick. Pour tea into warm cider and stir to combine. Enjoy!